The Washington Commanders are looking to bounce back in 2026. Fans are demanding nothing less after their dreams of Super Bowl contention were dashed the previous season.
Head coach Dan Quinn has known for a long time who his team will face when competitive action begins in 2026. Now, he also knows the order after the NFL finally released the long-awaited schedule.
It'll be a challenge for the Commanders right out of the gate. First up is a daunting trip to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles, which also represents the best chance to make an early statement and put Washington back on the map.
Commanders' schedule brings both daunting challenges and opportunity
Despite the Commanders winning just five games last season, they were given no fewer than five standalone games. There are four primetime contests, two on the road and two at Northwest Stadium. Washington also has an international game for the second straight year, taking on the Indianapolis Colts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Here is the full slate:
- Week 1: at Eagles
- Week 2: at Cowboys
- Week 3: vs. Seahawks
- Week 4: vs. Colts (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London)
- Week 5: vs. NY Giants
- Week 6: at 49ers (Monday Night Football)
- Week 7: Bye Week
- Week 8: vs. Eagles (Sunday Night Football)
- Week 9: vs. LA Rams
- Week 10: at NY Giants (Thursday Night Football)
- Week 11: vs. Bengals (Monday Night Football)
- Week 12: at Cardinals
- Week 13: at Titans
- Week 14: vs. Texans
- Week 15: vs. Falcons
- Week 16: vs. Vikings
- Week 17: at Jaguars
- Week 18: vs. Cowboys
There are some tough stretches. The divisional battles will go a long way to determining the Commanders' fate, and there are also several clubs on the schedule that harbor legitimate Super Bowl ambitions. But looking at the early gauntlet facing Washington, this team must be ready to hit the ground running.
The improvements have been made to the playing staff. Quinn has taken a big risk with his two coordinators — David Blough and Daronte Jones —who are progressive but boast no NFL coordinator experience. And of course, getting a better run of luck on the injury front will go a long way.
Quinn knows the stakes are high as he enters Year 3 of his tenure. He knows what'll happen if things don't improve. Every NFL season comes with challenges, but this one is particularly significant for a team looking to fight its way back.
It'll be tense; there's no getting away from that. But the Commanders have to believe they are capable of giving anyone a legitimate fight.
Anything less, and they've got a real problem.
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